A Very Special Visit!

Today we had a very special visit from Pamela Gardner!  She is a meteorologist from WBZ channel 4.  Pamela gave a wonderful presentation to the third and fourth graders.  She discussed her job at WBZ, how she forecasts the weather, the tools meteorologists use, what goes into each newscast, and how many different STEAM jobs are involved in meteorology.  Ask your children about this awesome experience!

Look for these SAS students on Tuesday.  They will be aired on the morning and evening editions!

Field trip

Yesterday the fourth grade went on our field trip to Patriot Place.  We spent the morning in the press box using the engineering design process to create better helmets to prevent concussions.  The students did such a great job...and I was one proud science teacher!

We ate our lunch out on the turf in front of The Hall and then got to go on a tour.  If you have never been to the Hall I highly recommend it!  The students received a pass to go back because they are doing major renovations since the Superbowl win.  The Hall is very interactive.  The fourth graders were able to try on uniforms, kick a field goal, climb on a duckboat and so much more!

The teachers had a blast and hope your children did as well!

Inquiry

Science week is upon us!  Check out these students hard at work on their inquiry projects!  I am so proud of all the work they have been putting forth in science class.  Please come check these fun projects out Wednesday from 1:30-2:15!  Also, don't forget the fourth grade field trip is on Monday!

        
        

Inquiry Projects

In science the students have been working hard to create their inquiry project presentations.  As you know, they completed the experiments at home, but the rest of the project was done in school.  They are using the scientific method to come up with the solution to a problem or answer a question.  I am so excited for the students to present all their hard work! These projects and our ecocolumns will be on display during our science week on Wednesday, May 6th from 1:30-2:15...please come see all their hard work!

Daisy!

Welcome Daisy the newest member of 4B!  Daisy is an adorable 2 year old chinchilla that was adopted over the weekend.  She is a blast to have in the classroom and she could not have come at a more perfect time...we are learning about ADAPTATIONS in science!  We have been discussing the features Daisy has that help her survive in her natural habitat, the Andes Mountains.  Thank you for your continued support.  I know your children were thrilled to welcome her to St. Agatha on Monday!

Terrarium update

We came back from Easter break to see some sprouting in our terrariums!

Naturally, we took some observations and added our pill bugs.  We were very excited to begin working on the aquarium piece!

 

 

Today we created the aquatic habitat!  We added the gravel, water, aquatic plants, fish, and snails. Check out the pictures below to see the groups hard at work.

This neat project will be ongoing.  We will be monitoring our columns closely and watching for change.  Your children are learning about habitats, life cycles, environments, adaptations, animal classifications and so much more through this fun and hands on activity!

The Makings of an ecocolumn

We have begun our life science unit.  We will be doing a lot of project based/hands on learning in science.    Ask your kids about habitats and ecosystems!

Thank you for sending in lots of 2 liter soda bottles!  We needed them, as you can see below, to create the boundaries for our habitats.

Each group was given three bottles.  We marked and cut the bottles then we put them together.

The top bottle will be the terrarium and the bottom part will be the aquarium.

I received word yesterday that our missing supplies for the project have finally arrived!  I opened the heavy box and saw all these fun goodies!

Inside I found the pill bugs for the terrarium.

I found our aquatic plants which will be a staple in our aquarium.

I unpacked the moss and put it aside in some planters.

And last, but not least, the fish and snails!  The children have been so excited about these.  They were thrilled to walk in the room and see our new pets.

Today with 4C and 4B we were able to create the terrarium.  We set it up, took observations, and planted the seeds and moss.  Pictures will be posted soon of our terrariums!